RE Log Spring 2018

64 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2018 Robert “Bob” G. Segel , a devoted RE parent and former member of the Board of Trustees, passed away on Sept. 6, 2017. Bob, the founder and managing partner of Park Street Capital in Boston, was a constant presence at Ransom Everglades, showing enthusiastic support for children Julia Segel ’14 and Michael Segel ’19 , serving a fruitful eight-year tenure on the board and passionately advocating for in- dependent schools. Bob was the consum- mate fundraising volunteer, generously devoting his time, talent and treasure to elevate Ransom Everglades. As benefactor chair on the board’s advancement com- mittee, he was the driving force behind years of record-breaking annual fund growth. As chair of the board’s investment committee, he urged the RE community to build up the school’s endowment for long- term sustainability. A native Bostonian and lifelong Red Sox fan, Bob used his love of the game to strengthen Raider baseball. He was instrumental in establishing a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and raising money for the renovation of the club’s baseball field, pro- viding RE’s student-athletes with access to a beautiful diamond. The cherished hus- band of Janice Sherman and dear son of the late Gerald and Rita (Rothfarb) Segel, Bob also served for seven years on the board of Buckingham Browne & Nichols in Boston and was involved in many other educational and community causes. In Loving Memory Dr. Shirley Ann Vaerewyck passed away on Dec. 20, 2017, from complica- tions of leukemia. Her three sons were by her side. Born Nov. 18, 1942, in Mishawaka, Ind., Shirley was a lifelong scientist and educator who earned her master’s degree at Ball State Teachers College and PhD at the University of Iowa in 1975. Shirley began her career in scientific research and education with several universities including Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Miami, where she helped make early contributions to diabetes research. As her children were born, Shirley made the transition to full-time science educator at Alexander Montessori School and MAST Academy. She capped off her career teach- ing seventh- and eighth-grade science at RE’s Middle School where she worked for 20 years until her retirement in 2014. Shirley loved her community, and was always generous with her free time. Over the years she served as YMCA soccer coach, USS swimming official, science fair judge and, while at Ransom Everglades, she instructed swimming, tennis, cheer- leading, cooking club, sewing club and many more. Shirley had a wonderful sense of adventure and traveled the world to visit Costa Rica, Argentina, Spain, Italy, France, Russia and Scotland in recent years. Her personal passion was ballroom dancing, especially the Argentine tango, and she was so grateful to be welcomed into the ballroom dance community in Miami. Shirley is survived by her three sons, David Hajek ’98, Daniel Hajek ’00 and Andrew Hajek ’03 ; her former spouse and father of her sons, Anthony; her brothers, Eugene (Janice) and Larry (Amy), sister Sally (Frank) and many nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends. Shirley will be remembered as a loving mother and sister, nurturing teacher, ad- venturous traveler, avid dancer, and most of all for her beautiful smile that lit up all our lives. Alex Warman ’12 passed away on Sept. 24, 2017, at the age of 23. He was born on April 28, 1993, and grew up in Miami where he attended Temple Beth Am Day School and later Ransom Everglades be- fore going on to pursue a degree in chemi- cal engineering at Cornell University. Alex worked at Mars Chocolate in Hackettstown, N.J., before his senior year of college, where he had accepted a job offer upon graduation. He was a longtime ball boy at the NASDAQ Open and later the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne. Alex enjoyed football, was a fan of the Miami Dolphins and enjoyed compet- ing in fantasy football leagues during the National Football League season. He was also a passionate amateur photographer. Alex is survived by his loving parents, Danny and Monica, as well as his sister, Michelle.